This section of InsideTransit will help you to understand how the Atlanta MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) works, pricing, routings, tips, and more. If you have any questions about travel in Atlanta, please send us the questions and we will get right back to you.

Allen’s System Overview:

The MARTA system is one of the most basic transportation systems today. There are 2 lines: North/South and East/West. The North/South line runs from the Airport to either Doraville (North-East) or North Springs (North). The East/West line runs from Indian Creek (east) to H.E. Holmes (West). The only transfer point between both lines is "Five Points" station.

Notes:

• If you are traveling to the North line (calling at Buckhead, Medical Center, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or North Springs) after 9pm, you will need to transfer at the Lindbergh Station (N6)
• From the MARTA web site: MARTA’s rail system runs from 5 a.m. until 1 a.m. Monday through Friday, and from 6 a.m. until 12:20 a.m. on weekends and holidays. Trains run every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Rants

• My first rant is not about the rail system, but instead the bus system. I live in Metro Atlanta, with 4 buses on my corner (this is not usually like this). Why must all 4 buses arrive at my corner with 5 minutes of each other? Can they not work out a schedule so that the buses appear every 10 minutes? This would certainly raise customer service because instead of waiting 30-45 minutes for 1 of 4 buses, a patron would only wait maybe 10-15 minutes for a bus.
• I love this quote on the MARTA web site: MARTA carries 98 percent of all transit riders in the Atlanta region. Well we have no other choice if we want any form of transit in metro Atlanta so that quote is a load of hooey.